Why should a Cushings patient consult an Endocrinologist?
Iatrogenic Cushing’s Syndrome is generally managed by the physician prescribing the steroid hormones for the primary illness, such as asthma, arthritis, or inflammatory bowel disease. Sometimes physicians are able to decrease steroid doses by using other drugs in the treatment of these diseases. All of the types of spontaneous Cushing’s Syndrome should be carefully evaluated by an endocrinologist (a specialist in hormonal disease) who has the knowledge and experience in choosing the correct diagnostic studies and evaluating the results. Finding the correct diagnosis often requires prolonged testing and even repetition of tests. Quick shortcuts can be misleading. Referrals for surgery or radiation should be coordinated by the endocrinologist, who will also be directly involved in managing the patient afterwards.
